Kilgoreites among Gregg County 4-H winners

The highest 4-H award presented is the 4-H Gold Star award. Gregg County 4-H members being honored with the award include, from left, Tyeisha Moore of the Happy Hearts 4-H club, Kathryn Smith of the 4-H Saddle Club, and Hayley Keenon of the Kilgore 4-H club. (top) More than 125 Gregg County 4-H members, leaders, parents and community supporters celebrated National 4-H Week at the recent Gregg County 4-H Awards Ceremony and Reception held at the Gregg County Extension Auditorium. The event was sponsored by the Longview Greggton Rotary Club.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the prestigious 4-H Gold Star award. Receiving the 4-H Gold Star award were: Hayley Keenon, daughter of Gene and Melynda Keenon of Kilgore; Tyeisha Moore, daughter of Angela Pippins of Longview; and Kathryn Smith, daughter of Dennis and Melinda Smith of Pittsburg.

The Gold Star award is the highest 4-H award presented on the county level by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service and is awarded to 4-H members with outstanding leadership qualities and who are extensively involved in the 4-H program.

Gregg County 4-H members awarded the Rookie of the Year award are, left, Vincent Luna (Senior Rookie) and Nicholas Hoskins of Kilgore (Junior Rookie). (bottom left) Fifty-one Gregg County 4-H members and 38 4-H adult volunteer leaders were recognized for their accomplishments. Dakota Keenon of Kilgore, outgoing president of the Gregg County 4- H Council, served as the master of ceremonies and then passed the gavel to the newly elected 4-H president, Ronnie Olson.

Receiving service medals were the Gregg County 4-H Council officers including Ronnie Olson, president; Hayley Keenon, 1st vice president; Natasha Watts, 2nd vice president; Hannah Watts, secretary; Kathryn Smith, reporter; and Mason Knapps, parliamentarian.

Outstanding 4-H volunteer Leaders of the Year are Gene and Melynda Keenon of Kilgore. 4-H supporters were also recognized at the awards ceremony. The Management Team of McAlister’s Deli was recognized with the “Friend of 4-H” appreciation award for support of Gregg County 4-H.

Outstanding 4-H volunteer leaders of the year were Gene and Melynda Keenon, club managers of the Kilgore 4-H club. The Keenons were recognized with the W.D. McQueen Outstanding 4-H Leader award.

The Danforth “I Dare You” award was presented to Megan Stevens and Cody Daniels, both from the Shamrocks 4-H club. The award is a challenge to young people to reach their highest potential and to influence others through lives of service and is awarded in recognition of personal integrity, balanced living and motivation for leadership.

Other special awards presented include the 4-H Bronze Star awards and the Rookie of the Year awards. The Bronze Star is based on active 4-H participation and community service. The recipients of the 4-H Bronze Star award were Paul Daniels of the Shamrocks 4- H, Gwen Graves of the Shiloh 4-H and Xavier Pippins of the Happy Hearts 4- H.

As first year 4-H members, Nicholas Hoskins of the Kilgore club was named the “Junior Rookie of the Year” and Vincent Luna of the Shamrocks club was named the “Senior Rookie of the Year.”

Recognized as the recipient of the 2009 Shannon Harms 4-H Memorial Scholarship was Joshua Jarvis of the 4-H Saddle Club. Happy Hearts 4-H members Crystal Odum and Myeisha Moore were recipients of the Gregg County 4- H Adult Leaders Association scholarships.

4-H Club members receiving recognition for completion of 4-H record books were: Charles Grimmett, Samuel Olson, Natasha Watts, Jazzmon Young, Cheyenne Swoope, Gwen Graves, James Watts, Hayleah Powell, Nicholas Hoskins, Desiree Hoskins, Paul Daniel, Hannah Watts, Cassidy Keenon, Xavier Pippins, Nicholette Stevens, Kanesha Brittain, Tanesha Brittain, Jarred Biddle, Cody Daniels, Myeisha Moore, Tyeisha Moore, Crystal Odum, Ronnie Olson, Kathryn Smith, Hayley Keenon, Reta Tuttle, LaCreshia Franklin, and Megan Stevens.

Receiving the award for the highest percentage of club members to complete a 4-H record book was the Happy Hearts 4-H club.

Fifty-one 4-H members were recognized for their participation in projects and activities such as food and nutrition, fashion/clothing, public speaking, performing arts, horse shows, community service, veterinary science, technology, leadership, livestock and small animals, shooting sports, photography, entomology and consumer decision making.

In addition to the very generous contribution by the Longview Greggton Rotary Club in the sponsorship of the 4-H Awards Ceremony, contributions were also made by Texas Bank & Trust and Mike Baker Photography.

For information on the Gregg County 4-H program, contact Charlotte Hold, Gregg County Extension Agent for 4-H and Youth Development at the Gregg County Extension Office, 903-237-2627.